 |
| The box.
|
 |
 |
| Fitted with
the Power System on top of the boom. |
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| Detailed
chassis. |
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| Detailed
graphics. |
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| Tiny
graphics add detail.
|
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| On the road
with the Power System. |
|
|
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| Impressive
counterweight. |
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| Lifting a
tower crane section. |
|
The
Tadano ATF 400G-6 All Terrain mobile crane has a maximum capacity of
400 tonnes at 2.7m radius.
It is in the colours of
Havator, the
Baltic crane and haulage company.
Packaging
The model comes in a Tadano
branded box with
the model held within two expanded polystyrene trays.
There were
no missing parts or defects on the review model.
There is no information about the real crane,
but the model has very good assembly manual. It has a
parts list and very clear photos, but there is no
reeving information for the largest hook block.
Detail
The chassis is highly detailed and it has fully
replicated transmission and suspension systems.
There are modelling steering linkages for each of the
front and rear axle triples.
The tyres are very good with a fine
tread pattern, and Michelin and the tyre details are moulded
in the sidewalls. The wheels are very good
with different hubs for driven and non-driven axles.
The driving cab has a loop for hitching the
hook whilst travelling and there is a fixed access
ladder underneath. The cab detailing is very good
with full mirrors and a realistic number
plate. Inside the cab there is good-looking console
detailing.
Behind the driving
cab the engine area is impressive, with fine mesh grilles
and 'No Step' rendered in one surface. The metal chrome
exhaust includes realistic holes in the pipes. Black
replica rubber skirts sit above the wheels.
The outriggers are
very good. The pads have locking bars which keep the pads under the crane
neatly when on the road.
The pistons are smooth with the screw mechanism being
internal so they look realistic. Large metal spreader plates with
useable lifting points are also included with the model.
At the rear of the carrier the lights
have plastic lenses.
The crane cab has metal grab rails with window wipers,
and the interior detail is very good with some console
detailing. There is a good quality chrome exhaust box
with 'No Step' etchings. Two sets of metal handrails
are supplied - one for when the crane is in transport
mode and the other for when it is working.
The counterweight tray
and second winch appears to be formed of separate
pieces, but they are not easily separated so all the
flexibility of the real crane cannot be posed. The second hoist gear is
ready-reeved gear for a luffing fly jib. The
separate 11 tonne counterweight blocks enable a full
configuration of 98 tonnes
and each block is nicely formed with steps indicated.
A nice touch is that two thread lifting straps are
provided to pose the counterweight blocks being lifted.
The main boom ram is a very good metal part. Detailing
on the boom includes a large rotating spooling drum and
many small details within the casting. The inner
telescope sections have a realistic profile with thin
walls. At the boom head the pulleys are metal.
The 'Power System' for the telescopic boom comprises a
simple metal frame. The pendants are metal and the
winch is a decent metal part.
Three metal hooks are supplied and they are very good
quality. One is a single line block, one has a single
pulley, and the third
has
nine pulleys. The design of the large hook block
means that it is challenging to reeve the inner pulleys.
Features
The axles have steering which is linked as two
groups of three. It allows a moderate range of steering
movement. The linkages effectively restrict the
possible steering modes so it would have been better if
none of the axles had been linked.
The outriggers can be extended and lowered, and feature
locking bars for use when the crane is in transport mode.
The range of travel on the pistons is just about
adequate when used with spreader plates.
The counterweight system can be fitted
in various configurations, including being mounted on the carrier deck
during self-assembly. The secondary hoist is reeved
to the luffing system but the luffing system is not
readily removable which is a pity.
Raising the boom is easy as the locking
mechanism on the main boom ram is by means of using a
supplied hex key in the grub screw and this works well.
.
Telescoping the boom is smooth and easy with a spring
clip to lock each boom section. A very good
feature is that there are locking
positions at 46%, 92% and 100%.
The 'Power System' can be displayed attached or
removed. When in place the system is operated with a
key and performs well. However there is no positive
brake on the winch so the tension is limited to the
friction within the winch, which on the review model was
very stiff.
The key is also used to operate the main winch.
There was little braking action on the review model.
The exhaust system is removable to enable access to
operate the winch and this is a good modelling solution.
The large hook block has working safety catches.
Quality
WSI has produced a high quality model with a high metal
content.
The paint and graphics are excellent and the Havator
colour scheme is reproduced very well.
Price
This model is reasonable value for a limited edition.
Overall
This version of the Tadano ATF 400G-6 looks great
in the striking Havator colour scheme, and it goes well
with a support truck in the same colours.
Footnotes
This version appeared in September 2018.
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|
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| The parts
in the tray. |
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| Attractive
colour scheme.
|
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| Looks great
with a support truck in the same colours. |
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| Spooling
drum looks great. |
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| Large block
and single line hook. |
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| Loading up
the counterweight. |
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| Power
system being raised. |
|
|
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| Graphics on
every section. |
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